{cupcakes} Chocolate Raspberry Almond Buttercream Dream

dear readers, THIS was one of my most memorable culinary feats. It was delightful to make and turned out beautifully. I made it for Thanksgiving dinner last year with my husband’s family, and beforehand, I hesitated because these flavors weren’t the traditional pumpkin pie, apple pie, spiced, sweet potato, or pecan dessert flavors that often grace that time of year. Nonetheless, I was inspired by a fellow blogger to try something new and unexpected. I am happy to report that it was enjoyed by all along with many other delicious and more thanksgiving-ly dishes. My husband still says that the almond buttercream frosting is THE best frosting he had ever tasted in his life – better than Sweet, Georgetown, and Sprinkles; we had more frosting leftover and he ate it by the spoonful the rest of the week. (Not that I encourage such eating habits…but it must have been that good 🙂 ) Once he reads this, I bet that I’ll receive a call shortly asking me to make it again ;).

I love integrating fresh fruit into desserts (that’s a smidgen of health and freshness for you…), and who doesn’t love a little chocolate cake?